SUMMER UPDATE #2 WITH OPERATIONS DIRECTOR KELLY DERHAM

We’re delighted with the progress of this major project. New drainage and irrigation was installed before the pitch was levelled, fertilised and seeded during an intensive three-week period. New grass has appeared within five days and it will probably get its first cut at the end this week. Once again, I’d like to thank Premier Pitches and their contractors for their hard work on what is one of the biggest infrastructure projects we have ever undertaken, Brighton & Hove Albion for their financial input and our grounds team at Complete Turf Care for their continued help.

Sponsorship

We will be revealing the name of our new main sponsors in the next few days. They are launching their partnership with an exciting initiative involving local schools. Watch this space! As we welcome new main sponsors I would like to thank Kevin Byrne and his team at Checkatrade for their wonderful backing over the last few years. They have been brilliant sponsors and I am looking forward to having as fruitful a relationship with our new main sponsors.

New Kit

We will be revealing our new Errea home kit next week and it will go on sale in July, on a date to be confirmed. We also have a new range of leisure and training wear which will go on sale next month, when the new away shirt will also be revealed.

Season tickets

We’re pleased with sales so far and expect to be busy in the next few days ahead of the Early Bird deadline on June 29. I’d also like to thank our existing season ticket holders for renewing and to welcome new season ticket holders to the club.

Pre-season friendlies

We are in the process of finalising details of our final friendly on Saturday July 28, which we hope will be against European opposition. This is something different for us and I think the first time we have played a foreign club at the Checkatrade. The game will form part of our annual Family Day which we are in the process of organising. Again, more details will be released nearer the time. While the new pitch beds in, we are grateful to East Grinstead Town FC for hosting our ‘home’ games against Ipswich on July 17 and Charlton Athletic four days later. Admission prices for all friendlies will be confirmed soon.

Pre-season training

We have reached an agreement on a new training base for the squad which we will announce in the next few days. The players will be back next week for testing before starting pre-season in earnest on July 2.

Player recruitment

We have signed two new players and our Director of Football Selim Gaygusuz is working hard with Harry and Warren on adding further to the squad. It’s the club’s policy not to comment on press speculation about potential signings and we don’t announce new players until they have signed their contracts. It’s an extremely competitive market again this summer and all clubs are aware that the transfer window is closing three weeks earlier, on August 9, but we will be patient because we want to make sure that we get the players we know that will add the necessary quality to the existing squad.